With the Flyweight championship vacant and rife with title
claimants following the sudden death of champion Pancho
Villa, Schwartz won the New York version of the World title
on December 16, 1927, decisioning California contender
Newsboy Brown in 15 rounds. Thirteen months earlier, he defeated
another California claimant, Johnny McCoy. In a pair of 1928
bouts within 31 days—February (10 rounds) and March
(12 rounds), both in Toronto—Schwartz decisioned NBA
and IBU Flyweight Champion French Belanger.

Within six months of winning the Flyweight crown, the 5'1",
112-pound “Ghetto Midget” stepped up in weight.
On May 23, 1928, he fought Bushy Graham for the vacant New
York World Bantamweight title but lost the 15-rounder.

Corporal Izzy Schwartz learned to box in the U.S. Army. He
defended his Flyweight title five times, officially retiring
his crown. In fact, Schwartz lost his last title fight by
a 15-round decision to Willie LaMorte. However, Izzy’s
manager had become the opponent’s manager the night
before the match. New York State refused to recognize the
bout as a championship, declaring the title vacant because
of the manager’s deception.